I've recently decided that the biggest perk of being a grownup is realizing that summer is, in fact, not the best season of the year.

Anyway, all's humming along nicely over here. Headed to California at the beginning of November. Also, I keep threatening to make a trip somewhere new before the end of the year--on account of I do live in Europe after all.

So if you have any weekend trip recommendations (or wishful ideas!) that you'd take from my London hub, hit me. I'm in the mood to be inspired.

Now then.

Been thinking a lot recently about the art of the cold intro, and how the etiquette of introducing yourself to strangers works.

(BTW a 'cold intro' is just that -- it's you initiating conversation with a total stranger, in a professional capacity. It's called 'cold' because they have no point of reference for who you are.)

There's never been a better time to dive into networking than 2017. Why?

Because the internet makes it easy to track down important and exciting people who can connect you to your dream career or next job, and just go ahead and introduce yourself. And you don't even have to leave your sofa to do so.

It's efficient, it's exciting, and it's even introvert-friendly.

Those who have been following me for a while know that I'm the master of the cold introduction. Whether it's pitching myself as an up-and-coming creative director to London recruiters, or trying to get OKCupid to sponsor an online dating pop-up shop in Berlin: this is one of my secret talents.

It's something I teach in depth with my clients, whether that's during #ELB School or in private 1:1 sessions.

The #1 question I get from students and readers about cold emails is this: "How do I start? I don't know what to say."

Lucky for you, that's kinda what I'm here for.

I've gone trolling back through a fistful of my own recent cold emails, and I've noticed a pattern. A single trick that you're almost definitely not utilizing.

It's a simple one. You're just probably skipping it.

The trick is: Introduce yourself.

Watch for tomorrow's email (Cold intro secrets part 2), where I'll share my no-brainer cold email introduction formula--something you can use when you submit your next job application.